Contributions
1,318 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHealth Bill (Eighth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for her comments. I largely agree about legislative plumbing—that is a nice phrase. As she rightly highlights, and as is clear in the explanatory notes…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)The clause transfers the requirement to conduct annual assessments of integrated care boards from NHS England to the Secretary of State and focuses the assessment on the statutory…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)We know that in some areas of Scotland and Wales that are near the border with England, the way that health services are planned and commissioned in England can have implications…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)There are a number of amendments in the group. Amendment 35 was not moved but as the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon spoke to it, I will comment on that amendment, which is in…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)The hon. Lady outlines a particular case, and if she wants to raise that separately, I am happy to come back to her with a fuller answer. As she knows, and as the hon. Member for…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)Patients and the public have a critical role in shaping our health services. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon for tabling the amendment, as moved by…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)I recognise the right hon. Gentleman’s expertise as a former Minister in this role. I do not want to mislead him, so I will come back to him in writing on both those points, if…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for her questions. ICBs are part of the accountability outcomes framework, so they will be monitored in the usual way, and any expenditure by the…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)The clause relates to the power for integrated care boards to provide assistance and support in relation to the health service. It replaces section 14Z48 and, in part, section…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)It is precautionary to give the power in the event—future-proofing the Bill. Question put and agreed to. Clause 18 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill . Clause 19…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)The clause gives the Secretary of State the powers to make transfer schemes where an ICB is being abolished or established, or where the area covered by an ICB is being amended. A…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Sixth sitting)Clause 12 inserts new section 3B into the National Health Service Act 2006, re-establishing the responsibility of the Secretary of State to commission services. Although we intend…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)I absolutely recognise that this is an area of huge interest to hon. Members across the piece. I assure colleagues that officials and I have been working with representatives of…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)I will move on. It is absolutely right that integrated care boards, as local commissioners, retain the ability to manage their services and waiting lists effectively, given the…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Sixth sitting)Primary care is the front door to the NHS and is critical to delivering our neighbourhood health agenda. The neighbourhood health service will bring care into local communities,…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Sixth sitting)The changes here, as I have outlined, are bringing practices in line in terms of the regulation. I think the issue my hon. Friend really addresses is the arrangement between those…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)Once again, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. He is expert on this issue and has outlined to us some excellent clinical examples. I look forward to debating the single patient…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)Of course ICBs will know how they are going to be assessed; that will be in guidance in the usual way. In the last two years, in planning terms, we have brought forward all that…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Seventh sitting)As an MP in Bristol, which is not quite on the border, but is pretty close, I absolutely understand. We have relationships with our Welsh colleagues and I have been involved in…25 Jun 2026HANSARDHealth Bill (Sixth sitting)I have enjoyed the “back to the good old days” of the Lib Dem-Tories. They tell us we live in fractured political parties, but I quite like the old days. On new clause 2, I…25 Jun 2026